Скачать или смотреть Pilgrims arrive at holy shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadim

(12 Apr 2018) LEADIN:
Thousands of Shiites from all across Iraq turn out in Baghdad to mark the eighth-century death of Imam Musa al-Kadim.  
Security forces are deployed to ensure their safety.
STORYLINE:    
No wonder these pilgrims are in a celebratory mood.
They have finally reached their destination, many of them having walked a long way to get here.
Pilgrims travelling to the holy shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadim traditionally trek by foot to the twin-domed building in Kazimiyah.
Imam Musa al-Kadim is the 7th Holy Imam for the Shiite worshippers.
He died in 799 AD and is buried in a mosque in the northern Baghdad neighbourhood - a mainly Shiite area.
For such a large event, the Iraqi forces have tightened security measures.
Security forces have blocked most of the surrounding roads in fear of attacks against pilgrims and adopted wide-scale deployment in the area.
"The purpose of our work is to ensure the safety of the pilgrims," explains Major General Jalil al-Rubaie, Baghdad Operations Commander.
"We implemented the K9 units (police dogs), and gathered intelligence to ensure roads are safe for the pilgrims to make their way on foot. Baghdad roads are safe and secured."
Insurgents have previously staged attacks on Shiite during this religious occasion.
And in 2005, nearly 1,000 Shiite pilgrims died in a stampede during a religious procession on a bridge near Imam Kadim shrine.
But this year, pilgrims are feeling hopeful, particularly with the upcoming elections.
"I hope that the majority of the Iraqi people will participate in the upcoming elections to change the old faces for a better and prosperous Iraq," says pilgrim Jamal Ali.
Parliamentary elections are taking place in Iraq next month.

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